CHICAGO (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by offensive inefficiency, the Illinois State Redbirds used a dominant first quarter to secure a 59-44 victory over the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in a Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Joseph Gentile Center.

The Redbirds (3-1) raced out to a 19-8 lead after the first period, a cushion that proved insurmountable for the struggling Ramblers (1-4), who shot just 27.4 percent from the field. Illinois State never trailed, weathering a second-quarter Loyola push to control the game’s tempo and grind out the win before an announced crowd of 566.

Addison Martin led all scorers for Illinois State, pouring in 15 points and grabbing a key offensive rebound in 35 minutes of action. She was instrumental in the paint, providing a consistent scoring threat that Loyola Chicago struggled to contain. She was complemented by backcourt mates Trista Fayta and Doneelah Washington, who added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Fayta, a guard from Green Bay, Wisconsin, also dished out a game-high six assists, while Washington contributed two assists and a block.

The game’s trajectory was set from the opening tip, which Washington won to give Illinois State the first possession. The Redbirds capitalized immediately, as Bella Finnegan sank a three-pointer on the game’s first shot, assisted by Fayta. Illinois State’s defense was equally impactful from the start, forcing the Ramblers into difficult shots and turnovers that fueled their early advantage.

Loyola Chicago found a brief spark in the second quarter, outscoring the Redbirds 21-13 to narrow the gap. A three-pointer from Alex-Anne Bessette and a layup from Brooklyn Vaughn highlighted a Ramblers run that brought energy to the home crowd. Vaughn finished the period with a turnaround jumper, sending Loyola into halftime with momentum and trailing by just three points, 32-29.

However, any hopes of a complete Rambler comeback were extinguished in the third quarter. Illinois State’s defense reasserted itself, holding Loyola Chicago to a mere nine points. The Ramblers’ offensive woes were stark; they managed just four made field goals in the entire second half. The Redbirds, while not shooting lights out themselves, methodically rebuilt their lead, entering the final period up 44-38.

The fourth quarter saw Illinois State put the game away, holding Loyola to six points, the lowest-scoring quarter for either team. The Ramblers’ offense completely stalled, with their final points coming on a Bessette floating jumper with just over four minutes remaining. Down the stretch, the Redbirds sealed the victory at the free-throw line, with Fayta and Washington converting critical attempts to ice the game.

For Loyola Chicago, the offensive struggles were a team-wide issue. Alexa Kinas and Brooklyn Vaughn led the Ramblers with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Bessette, a forward from Quebec City, added nine points, two assists, and two blocks. But as a unit, Loyola was anemic, making only 4 of 23 attempts from three-point range and posting an offensive rating of just 66.3 points per 100 possessions.

Illinois State’s offense was only marginally more efficient, with an 89.4 offensive rating, but it was more than enough on a night where their defense was the story. Both teams committed 13 turnovers, but the Redbirds’ ability to capitalize on their opportunities in the paint and from the charity stripe, where they shot 14 for 19, made the decisive difference.

The win improves Illinois State’s record ahead of a Friday home contest against Saint Louis. Loyola Chicago, mired in a three-game losing streak, will look to rebound on the road Saturday against Illinois-Chicago.